AKANA Unique Testing

To receive the TOMOE Warrior Award, a karateka must understand the concept of TOMOE. 

Can you imagine fighting a real person with a samurai sword in their hand?  That is exactly what the TOMOE warriors did. This award is given by Grandmaster Jerry C. Piddington. Believe it or not, Mr. Piddington has fought in the street against knife, gun, and club to survive, hence, the TOMOE award came into being. 

It is a special award given to students who demonstrate a warrior spirit.  The TOMOE is the symbol of the fighting spirit of Okinawan warriors who defended their homes and families in times of war. The victory symbol was placed on their shields which were used for defense against the sword. It means the constant motion of our universe, the eye of a hurricane, the wheel is always turning, leading to the only certainty - at some time this human life will come to an end.  To place too much importance on this fragile butterfly life was deemed fatal. It is far better to aim for honor and respect, even if in pursuance of this, it becomes necessary to give up life - thus the warrior defeats his greatest foe - FEAR!  Fear of death, which if unconquered, could cause that slight hesitation in combat that might be fatal.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind. 

2 Timothy 1:7

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

BRONZE TWO-KATA TOMOE

(Bronze TOMOE in red on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least two 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors and one Kyoshi.
• Must demonstrate beginner stances, blocks, elbows, hand strikes, knees, and kicks.
• Must perform TWO EMPTY-HAND KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, can make no more than three mistakes.

SILVER FIVE-KATA TOMOE

(Silver TOMOE in blue on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least two 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors and one Kyoshi.
• Must demonstrate beginner stances, blocks, elbows, hand strikes, knees, and kicks.
• Must perform FIVE EMPTY-HAND KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 15 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.

SILVER DIAMOND SEVEN-KATA TOMOE 

(Silver TOMOE in red on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place. 
• Must be tested by at least two 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors and one Kyoshi.
• Must demonstrate beginner and intermediate stances, blocks, elbows, hand strikes, knees, and kicks.
• Must perform SEVEN EMPTY-HAND KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 15 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.

GOLD TEN-KATA TOMOE

(Gold TOMOE in red on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA. 
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least three 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors, two Kyoshi, and one Hanshi.
• Must demonstrate all beginner and intermediate stances, blocks, elbows, hand strikes, knees, and kicks. 
• Must perform TEN EMPTY-HAND KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 30 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.

BLACK BELT-FIVE KATA TOMOE

(Gold TOMOE in blue on red patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least three 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors, two Kyoshi, and one Hanshi.
• Must demonstrate beginner, intermediate, and advanced stances, blocks, elbows, hand strikes, knees, and kicks.
• Must perform FIVE EMPTY-HAND BLACK BELT KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 30 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes. 
• Must demonstrate a bunkai from each kata performing self-defense one-steps executing blocking and striking with kime!

GOLD DIAMOND SEVENTEEN-KATA TOMOE

(Gold TOMOE in red on blue patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be invited and approved by the head instructor.
• Must be tested by at least five 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors, two Kyoshi, one Hanshi, and the Grandmaster of AKANA. The Grandmaster may appoint a person to sit in for him if he is unavailable. 
• Must wear a heavyweight uniform with all patches. Must demonstrate all beginner, intermediate, and advanced stances, blocks, elbows, hand strikes, knees, and kicks. 
• Must perform SEVENTEEN EMPTY-HAND KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 60 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.
• Must perform at least eight black belt kata of the seventeen kata.
• Must demonstrate a bunkai from each kata by performing self-defense one-steps executing blocking and striking with kime! 
• Must test during an annual AKANA Family Reunion in front of the AKANA Board of Directors, Advisors, and 17-Kata Tomoe Warrior Alumni.  

Note:  If it is an American Open Style Tomoe Warrior Test, Left and Right Pivot Form count as one kata. At least nine American Open Style Kata must be performed. All Naihanchi Kata must be performed as one kata...O'Naihanchi. 

1. Left & Right Pivot Form
2. H-Pattern 1
3. H-Pattern 2
4. H-Pattern 3
5. Lion Form
6. Swift Like the Deer
7. Five-Animal Form
8. Sun Form
9. Moon Form

AKANA SEVENTEEN KATA TOMOE WARRIORS:

1. Ricky Smith (NC-001-001)
2. Wayne Talbert Jr. (NC-001-002)
3. Robert Taylor (NC-001-003)
4. Sonia Fields (NC-001-004)
5. Rickey Dease (NC-001-005)
6. Jeff McClenney (NC-001-006)
7. Tyrone Stewart (NC-001-007)
8. Caleb Isenhour (NC-001-008)
9. Lukas Miller (NC-001-009)
10. Amanda Burleson (NC-001-010)
11. Hunter Poston (NC-001-011)
12. Kenny Chavarria (NC-001-012)
13. Howard Douglas (NC-001-013)
14. Tom Bristol (NC-001-014)
15. James Bristol (NC-001-015)
16. Ben Bolick (NC-001-016)
17. Shawn Bolick (NC-001-017)
18. Ryan Stopper (NC-001-018)
19. John Bristol (NC-001-019)
20. Thomas Wall (NC-001-020)
21. Trent Long (NC-001-021) 2023
22. David L. Washco (NC-002-022) 2023

PINNACLE TOMOE

(Gold TOMOE inside a triangle with a diamond and ruby)

The pyramid is one of the forms most frequently used throughout history to symbolize spiritual completeness, for example, the Holy Trinity in Christianity.  Mind, Spirit, and Body are symbolized with the pyramid. The pyramid also symbolized Mt. Sumeru, the center and home of power in the universe according to Eastern tradition - not the power itself, but the source of the power, the home of the winds, souls, and God. The power of the mountain is expressed in the human body of the master who stands atop it. The TRIANGLE (pyramid) represents the goals of every master and every student in every school of martial arts: to attain mastery and to stand firmly upon the summit of existence.  Must be a 7th dan or above. Must be an AKANA (lifetime) member. Must be recommended by the AKANA Board of Directors. Must be voted in by the majority of AKANA Board of Directors. Must have a minimum of 30 years of giving/teaching martial arts. Must have a teaching knowledge of at least twenty-four kata. Must have a working knowledge of The Pinnacle of Karate.

PINNACLE TOMOE WARRIORS: 

1. Jerry C. Piddington (#001)
2. Gene Smith (#002)/passed to Ricky Smith
3. Ricky Smith (#003)/awarded to Brian Pena
4. Randy Smith (#004)
5. Joe McClellan (#005)
6. Danny McCall (#006)
7. CJ Mayo (#007)

 BRONZE TWO-KATA KOBUDO

(Bronze TOMOE in red on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least two 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors and one Kyoshi.
• Must perform TWO WEAPON KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, can make no more than three mistakes.

SILVER FIVE-KATA KOBUDO

(Silver TOMOE in blue on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least two 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors and one Kyoshi.
• Must perform FIVE WEAPON KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 15 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.

SILVER DIAMOND SEVEN-KATA KOBUDO

 (Silver TOMOE in red on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place. 
• Must be tested by at least two 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors and one Kyoshi.
• Must perform SEVEN WEAPON KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 15 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.

GOLD TEN-KATA KOBUDO

(Gold TOMOE in red on white patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA. 
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least three 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors, two Kyoshi, and one Hanshi.
• Must perform TEN WEAPON KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 30 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.

BLACK BELT-FIVE KATA KOBUDO

(Gold TOMOE in blue on red patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be tested by at least three 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors, two Kyoshi, and one Hanshi.
• Must perform FIVE WEAPON BLACK BELT KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 30 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes. 
• Must demonstrate a bunkai from each kata performing self-defense one-steps executing blocking and striking with kime!

GOLD DIAMOND SEVENTEEN-KATA KOBUDO

(Gold TOMOE in red on blue patch)

• Must be a current member of AKANA.
• Must have all patches in the correct place.
• Must be invited and approved by the head instructor.
• Must be tested by at least five 17-Kata Tomoe Warriors, two Kyoshi, one Hanshi, and the Grandmaster of AKANA. The Grandmaster may appoint a person to sit in for him if he is unavailable. 
• Must wear a heavyweight uniform with all patches.
• Must perform SEVENTEEN WEAPON KATA. Must name the kata before and after presentation, may rest 60 seconds or less between kata, and can make no more than three mistakes.
• Must perform at least eight black belt kata of the seventeen kata.
• Must demonstrate a bunkai from each kata by performing self-defense one-steps executing blocking and striking with kime!
• Must test during an annual AKANA Family Reunion in front of the AKANA Board of Directors, Advisors, and 17-Kata Tomoe Warrior Alumni.

AKANA SEVENTEEN KATA KOBUDO WARRIORS:

SideKick Karate (School Charter # NC-001)

1. Trent Long (NC-001-001) 2024
2. Daniel Warren (CA-002-002) 2024

Note:  If it is an American Open Style Tomoe Warrior Test, all weapon kata must be American Open Kobudo Kata. Also, if performing the 2-man Bo sets, each side must be performed.

1. Bo Pivot
2. Nunchuck Pivot
3. Tonfa Pivot
4. Sai Pivot
5. Kama Pivot
6. Bo Kata 1
7. Nunchuck Kata 1
8. Tonfa Kata 1
9. Sai Kata 1
10. Kama Kata 1
11. Bo Kata 2 (Journey of the Staff)
12. Nunchuck Kata 2 (Twin Dragon Form)
13. Tonfa Kata 2 (Hama Higa no Tonfa)
14. Sai Kata 2 (Daggers of Death)
15. Kama Kata 2 (Cutting off the Devil's Head)
16. 2-man Bo Set (Butterfly Bo Form)
17. Cane Kata (Old Man Walking Stick)

The Sun & Moon Karate Event is based on performing outdoors! Hanshi Piddington incorporates the natural elements into his AKANA events. He believes that to survive, a student must learn to blend with the elements of fire, earth, wood, water, and wind, which are our natural gifts from God! AKANA events include Ancient Martial Art Exercises and American Native Indian Traditions to honor our karate forefathers and the indigenous ancestors of our land. The more advanced students will participate in exercises such as Mushin (mind of no mind), Mizu No Kokoro (mind like water), and an American Native Warrior Sweat (fire breathing). This event will be a spiritual martial art experience!

The Sun & Moon Karate Event is an annual event endorsed by American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA). All students of any belt rank who are receiving a promotion during the coming year are encouraged to attend. Sun & Moon/Five Elements AKANA Event patches will be awarded for completion of this event...white for beginner, blue for intermediate, red for advanced, and black for black belts. When this event patch is earned and the student has the required time-in (hours for respective rank), the student will be promoted.

American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA) was founded by Grandmaster Piddington. AKANA is the organization that endorses this event and acknowledges rank for our system of study. Please wear your AKANA patch proudly during this elite AKANA Sun & Moon Karate Event.

Advice from the Sensei: Bring a “warrior spirit” and positive attitude. Some students will be testing for Black Belt. Remember, the actual event is a celebration of your long journey of training. The harder you train and perform, the greater the reward! History will be made. Lives will be changed. Legacies will be started. This is the time to give it your all. Study the manuals and practice your material. This event will sharpen your mind, body, and SPIRIT!